Considering a ramp for our aging dog and happened on your video. I read in the comments that your sweet old gal has passed away, and I’m so devastated for you. I know time has passed since you lost Coco, and it still hurts, but you did your best for her. We are hardly worthy of their love and devotion, but we’re lucky to have it. Thank you for being a great pet owner.
Thanks so much. She's definitely missed by the family and friends. Sadly I was never successful in getting Coco to use that ramp. If your dog is not keen on trying new things that might seem a little sketchy like these ramps, I believe that it definitely pays to get him or her adjusted to using it while still pretty mobile. I hope that your dog has a nice long life like Coco had.
Been struggling. Even had a girl walk away because I cared more about Megabytes needs than hers, but she’s not dying to be fair and only knew her for a week. My husky is suffering from intense anxiety and it’s hurting his heart. He keeps sleeping next to my bed and I needed to make something to get him up here as a 125lb dog. He’s old and I know only has little time left. But, I rescued him as a tiny pup and he SAVED MY LIFE when I had a serious health issue… Thanks for this video. I’m going to motivate myself to figure out ANY ANY WAY to get him up here on this bed to be comfortable until his last breath.
Thanks for sharing your story LaceChaser. Sorry to hear about your struggles. I can relate to how you feel about your husky. I felt that way about Coco. It's been over two years ago since she passed away and I think about her every day. I hope that what they say is true that we reunite with our pets someday. I wish you all the best and hope you find the solution to make his last days the best that they can be.
I had the same issue with my dog. Built a ramp but the trick is to start from the bottom and let your pup go up using treats. Afterwards he might feel more confortable going down… It also can’t hurt if the ramp was a little wider 👍
Thanks Lawrence! I actually made sort of a "part two" to this video, which I should have probably titled it as such or at least refer viewers to it from this video. If you look through my other videos, it is entitled "Building a Dog safety gate from recycled lumber". I had to build this gate because she was trying to just leap down the steps which could have severely injured her. In that video I also show some widening of the ramp as well as some tricks that viewers have added to the comments. Sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I also have a tribute video to her life. She is greatly missed and thought about everyday. Thank you for watching. I will copy and paste the links to those videos underneath if you would like to see them.
Valiant effort my friend, she'll get it. I would put the leash on her and gently coerce her to come down. Encouraging her the whole time. I would even try it without the treats that way she doesn't want to stop while she's on an angle to reach down to get a treat
Thank you so much for making this video. Sparkey is starting to walk like Coco and just this morning he fell off of my porch steps. I'm going to use this design for my old stubborn dog.
Great project. In order to get Coco to use the ramp, you need a couple of steps before. You need her to get used to the "new" surface flat and without the railings. Just put the board with the new surface on the deck for a few days. Don't forget to give her treats and make it a game for her. The second step would be adding the railings only on one side for a few days. The third step is adding the second railing and letting her come and go on a flat surface. She'll get used to it. The last step would be placing the ramp and the railings in the final position. Hope this might be of help. Cheers,
Thanks for the advice Ignacio. I'm sorry to say that Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I really wish that she was around to try your method. Coco had a nice long life just a few days under 16 years which is great for her breed. I made a tribute video to her life. I'll post the link underneath if you like.
@@themostlymikeshow We had 5 steps and I built a 16 foot x 2 foot wide ramp and I put green out door grass carpet on it, it was magnificent, for my 13 year old golden retriever Duke and he simply refused to ever use it. He weighed about 85 pounds and I resorted to carrying him in and out the last months of his life.
Wow Greg, I often thought that going wider or longer would have gotten her to use it, but I guess that they just get set on their ways. Coco has passed away almost two and a half years ago and I still think about her every day. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
@@themostlymikeshow Thank you kindly for your response, I again find myself with an older dog that is really struggling with stairs - I told my wife that the best thing we could do was install a wheel chair ramp and then we can all use it!
I love reading about loving pet owners whose pets live long fulfilling lives. There's no such thing as a spoiled pet. They give us so much and what we give in return is but a mere fraction. I'm so sorry your Cocoa has passed on. If there's a heaven I hope we're reunited with our furry loved ones. In the future, for the day another dog enters its senior years, it's been my experience that it's easier for a pet to go up a ramp than down a ramp at first. Going down is scary as there's a chance for tumbling down whereas going up, the pet has more control. Once going up is conquered then going down won't be as intimidating. May all pets be as loved and pampered.
Coco is a very lucky girl to have you. I wonder if making the entire ramp wider to allow you walk down with her would help. Maybe consider a smaller angle and flatter ramp too? She might be scared of the steepness
Thanks Alan. Yes, Coco was really special. I miss her. Toughest thing I ever went through. I hope that your project goes well and many more years with your German shepherd.
This is a great video, Coco is awesome. What’s the update? Is she using the ramp yet? If not my only suggestion is to make the ramp wider, maybe six inches would be enough.
Coco thanks you for the kind compliments! I actually held off on the update to that video. I made the ramp about 4 inches wider, then I added lattice to the Rails so it was a little more closed in. She refuses! I should be putting an update video out soon with those improvements, and a couple more things that I want to try. Thanks for watching!
@@themostlymikeshow I have the same problem with my 12-year old border collie. She never liked ramps, whne she was younger I tried doing agility since my other BC loved it, this one would jump off the ramp. She is 68pounds, with hip dysplesia and I can't carry her. I am a renter who shares stairs with neighbors so I can't even do such a sophisticated ramp cause it needs to come off after each use. We are also in a city where even first floor apts have a set of stairs, and buildings with elevators are usually fancy and expensive (she also finds elevators stressful, but that is not the main issue). Really frustrating. This is her only health issue, so it is sad.
Yes Belizat, it's sad when they act like puppies and have issues getting around. I posted an update video a few weeks ago, but sadly Coco still won't go on the ramp. She tried one time and it didn't go well. She gets halfway down and then leaps for some reason, and that's when it goes bad. In that video, I build a gate so she can't dart for the steps, which would likely end up in injury or worse, so I just carry her up and down. It's all that I can do for the moment. Thanks for watching!
@@themostlymikeshow I have a problem I have a 12 year chocolate lab he neurological problems where he can’t move his back legs so I have to carry him up and down the steps and he’s 100lbs so u know that’s heavy when it’s deadweight but I’m trying to think of something if you guys have any ideas please help me I got him the doggie wheel chair which he loves but it don’t help with stairs.
Hi Rick. I wish that I had some ideas to help. Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I think about her every day. She only tried the ramp once and it didn't go well for her. If there was some way to cart him on a less steep ramp is all that I could think of at the moment. I hope that you can find a way. Thanks for watching.
Great video- I am about to construct a ramp due to an elevated foundation and a ramp is needed for the dog door. I was googling and came across this 🙏🙏
This is exactly what I’m looking for with the exception that I need it for my bed. Any thoughts on how to make the ramp not to steep and one that doesn’t run long in my bedroom?
Thanks for watching Valerie! I tried different things for Coco to still be able to get into the bed, but she was not open to new ideas. I actually made a small set of two steps that had a piece of plywood sticking past the top step to go between the mattress and box spring to hold it securely. She wouldn't even look at it. Lol. She was stubborn like that. I even tried putting a short padded storage ottoman in front of the bed so she could use it as a short step, and she wouldn't try it either. I don't know if these ideas could help your situation, but maybe something to try.
Thanks! I made a few updates to it since then, including widening the ramp and making the gaps on the sides smaller I hope to make an update soon. Coco's health declined a little more since then, so I am not sure if she would be able to go up and down even if she was willing. It's sad to see her this way. I have been carrying her up and down the steps for a few months now.
@@AG-nc7wj Thank you. She's my baby. For being almost 110 years old in dog years, she still acts like a puppy in many ways. I try to prepare for the inevitable, but I want her life to be the best as it can be while she is still with us.
Considering making mine a ramp because she too is declining. I will have to make it sturdy enough for her sister who is 80lbs even tho the one that needs it is only 55lbs. I'm going to make it wider...and put her favourite stuffy on it...maybe roll her ball down it...those are her 2 favourite things...she likes them more then treats...maybe I'll try cheese cubes...that's her fav treat in the whole world. I'm sorry to hear cocoa isnt doing well...we were at the vet today for 4 hrs with our girl bella... its rough seeing them decline and when they cant tell you how they are hurting or where the pain is...its hard...u just know they are hurting horribly. I wish you and cocoa all the best...we put a heated blanket on low for bella...she seems to like it on her bad days. Take care and thank you for the video.
Thanks Ryan. I wish that would have made Coco a ramp earlier in her life. By the time that I made her this ramp, she had already declined to a point that she didn't have much confidence in using it. I tried many different suggestions from viewers, and only one time she tried using it, but was shaky, so inspiring no confidence. Sadly, she passed away on October 26th of 2020. I miss her so much and think about her every day. Please check out the video tribute that I made to her life as well as the renovation video of the house that I am making my channel studio which I named "Coco Villa" in her honor.
Use a leash while holding the treat a few inches from her nose and guide her down. That’s how I got mine to use the elevated dog-walk and seesaw on the agility course. The platforms are not any wider than yours. Good luck with it. Wonderful video. Thanks.
Thanks for watching Lew. I appreciate the advice. Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. She is very missed. If you look through my other videos, I made a tribute to her life. I had her for almost 16 years, and shared many adventures. She had a longer life than the majority of her breed, and left this world on her own terms.
for your answer that you asked in the video, just remove the side rails and she will happily use the ramp. because Dogs have an inherrent fear of confined spaces and the side rails is giving her exactly that!
That's interesting! Thanks! Her legs are getting worse to the point that I would be afraid of her falling if she used the ramp at this point. I am editing the second part of this video as I write this, and should be making it public in the next few days. Thanks for the information!
You might be able to make a support that conforms to the top step, and perhaps fasten it with a tapcon, or anchor of sorts for added security, and then rest the end of the ramp on the ground. It might take some trial and error to get the angles correct. This is just picturing in my head from what you described.
@@themostlymikeshow I had to look up what a tapcon is (I'm in the UK) yes someone else suggested concrete screws too. Thanks so much! Also so sorry for your loss of Coco, just noticed in your other video ❤️
Such a sweet girl- good job cocoa! I have to build one of these I bought one but my boy doesn’t like it. Too narrow. Going to try yours thanks for posting. You’ve been fortunate having her for 15 years hope you get a few more years out of her!!💝❤️
Thanks for watching Janice! Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th. Her health had declined to the point that I had to make that dreaded decision to make the appointment that no one wants to make, but Coco went on her own terms before the appointment.. Almost like she knew. I miss her so much and think about her every day. She was just about 16.
I built a step for my 11 year old, stubborn as a mule, Kelpie yesterday...she stepped on it and smashed face first into the car....I felt terrible for her. So, today I did a ramp, I lined it with a rubber mat and then put 4 small strips of timber going across as steps...just so she has something to grip on. She had lost her confidence so it was a no go. I think I will put a stand under the ramp so it is more stable. Fun and games and hard on us seeing them not at their best!:-) I might need to try the carpet treads.
Hi Mel! One thing that I tried for Coco that really worked was using a couch cushion as a step. For some reason she didn't associate the cushion as a "contraption", and would climb willingly on to it to help get in the car. Sadly Coco has passed away in October. She had a nice long life full of adventures. She is very missed.
@@themostlymikeshow oh gosh, sorry to hear. Nothing worse than losing your dog. I do worry about my dog as she struggles. Thanks for that tip though...I will give it a go as a cushions a lot easier to drag in and out of the car than ramps or steps. I hope things get easier soon after losing Coco. (Heart emoji):-)
@@melsparklesThanks. It definitely takes some time. There's a big empty spot that she used to fill. I am not sure if you saw the tribute video to Coco, but It's on the channel page showing some highlights of the adventures that we had together.
@@themostlymikeshow after I read your message I spotted it but just can't watch it sorry! I even tear up thinking about it...any dog loss is so painful! I still tear up over a dog that I lost 11 years ago! Some good news...my dog Lulu after some coaxing used the car ramp twice! I am super relieved! She even seemed a little bit happy:-) I hope you find some happy moments between grieving for your girl. (Heart emoji):-)
@@melsparkles I try to constantly think about the great times that we were both part of. Coco knew me better than anyone else in the world. She could even read my mind. I hope that it is true that someday we will meet again.
Thanks for watching and the helpful tip. Yes, I have tried that with her. I wish that she was still with us to try some more, but unfortunately she passed away October 26th of 2020. I miss her and think about her almost everyday. I think my best advice to anybody that has a dog prone to these problems would be to get them used to walking up a ramp at a young healthy age. I actually got her to try it one time and it did not end very well. She panicked and took a pretty good tumble.
I know this video is older now, and I know Coco has unfortunately passed away now. I just wanted to say that I think the main thing that would've made her slightly weary was probably the narrow passage. I know you only had so much room to work with, I just figure that part probably made it a lil difficult for her to fully trust, especially if she happened to be shy of new things like my dogs can be sometimes. Anyways, thanks for sharing this video. I really cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to see the effort you put in for her here. May Coco enjoy her time on the rainbow bridge till such a time as she can reunite with you. 🙂
Thanks for watching and the kind words. Yes, I tried to widen it some, but it wasn't enough. I would recommend to anyone having a dog that is getting up in age to acclimate the dog for using a ramp before they get to the age that Coco was.
Sorry to read that miss Coco has passed, but I'm sure she had an amazing life with you! I am looking for similar solution for my elderly pup... she is SO STUBBORN. I think the only way I could keep her from jumping would be a tunnel system type thing.. but she has to be on a leash in the city... not sure if I can make it work...
Thanks for the kind words Amy. Coco is very missed and I think about her every day. That definitely sounds like it would be a challenge making a tunnel type of ramp. Jumping is exactly what Coco tried to do on one of the attempts to get her to use it. I wish that I could have heard her side of it and why she was so stubborn about using it. 🤔 I wish you the best of luck with finding a way to get your dog to use whatever you decide on. Thanks for watching.
You should make it wider, My dog was the same way because the ramp was too narrow. Once I added more width he went right down with no problem. Not stubbornness, she doesn't feel safe. Once she feels safe she will go down.
Thanks Patti. Sadly, Coco has passed away in October. She had a nice long life, just two weeks from her 16th birthday. It's still not long enough. I miss her and think about her every day. I made a video showing highlights and memories of her life.
I have two St. Bernards who are now growing old for whom I want to build a ramp to get them in and out of my car especially for vet visits. The question I have which no youtube video has answered is what inclination angle do I need to use to make it easy for my dogs to climb onto. Any answers from you or the readers here would be very helpful.
I made my ramp with little knowledge of the requirements as far as steepness, so I made it as long as I could to make the angle as easy as possible for her. I just went out and measured it with a level and a protractor. It is about 20 degrees Slope. I hope that this helps.
I know I am super late to this Post however I do not believe removing side rails would be safe. I do believe if you went first down the ramp she would be more apt to follow you. Although that is pretty impossible, unless you're only 12 foot wide which no adult is. I'm trying to figure out the same scenario for my mom. Options are her outdoor deck steps or her indoor steps to foyer. (Lives in a split level home.) any ideas would be greatly appreciated! I did not read the previous comments, but I do hope you are well. If Coco has passed my heart breaks with you and for you!! I LOVE animals sometimes more than people. I do know that she will always know how amazing her human was, how kind and loving, thoughtful and caring and above anything else, the relationship Coco shared with you is and always will be priceless! Animals are a gift to us, and how we treat them and love on them speaks volumes. Coco is/was one lucky lady, and I think she knew that too. 😉
Thanks so much for the very kind comment Leslie. Coco is a very special dog. It has been over a year a a half since she passed and I still think about her every day. I was very blessed to have the time that I had with her. I told her all the time how much her daddy loved her. I'll think about your mom's situation and see if I can get any ideas. I just finished a double shift, but wanted to at least thank you for the kind words. Have a great day!
@@themostlymikeshow my animals / my moms Animals are all my only children!! I also work in the medical field and have had a part time job at a humane Society. The loss of a beloved Family member is truly heart wrenching and breaking! When my one and only dog I’ve had passes…. Idk what I'll do her name is foxy lady, I did adopt a cat I named Hendrix, for Jimi Hendrix. But I had th put him down.. so I understand your pain.. ❤️
@@themostlymikeshow sorry to hear.. my dog is 9 month 60 pounds German shepherd mix.. we got her from a rescue which never told us of all her walking problems.. we got her home and notice she walked funny.. now she is 9 months old and don't walk up and down stairs at all.. so we are searching the net on stairs ideas to build.. she is getting to heavy yo carry..your video gave me a great idea and things to do for our pup.. thank you for the video.. and I know coco is missed dearly.. she don't know it but her video helped alot of people with their dogs..
@@holyfaith7 That is one of the toughest things that I ever went through. I had her since she was just 3 months old and my best friend ever since. She was two weeks away from turning 16, so definitely had a long life for her breed, but still way to short. There's a video tribute to her life on this channel. I'll find the link and post it here shortly.
@@themostlymikeshow oh wow... its always hard to lose a best friend... im hoping to give my baby girl the best care possible until that time.. we will make her as comfortable as she can be..
It's been cold out, so I haven't been working with her as much. She has been fairly cooperative with me lately for carrying her up and down the steps. She is really set on her ways. What kind of dog(s) do you have?
Thanks Emily. That was one of my older videos, and sadly since then, Coco has passed away on October 26th. We tried every way to get her to use it, but what I should have done is taught her when she was in better health. I did a tribute video to her life showing various highlights. She is very missed.
I have a very old dog too, she is blind and was very stubborn especially considering the fact that she is blind she wanted to keep going up and down the steps which is a very bad idea. But give it time that is the best advice i can give. Build up from spare wood scrap a fence blocking the main steps and block coco from going down the familiar route. So it would force her to use the new solution to the problem. Going off my experience teaching an old dog something new just requires patience and the knowledge that in the end your contraption will help her out and she will use it
Hi Leo! Thanks for watching, and thanks for the advice! So far, I have widened it, and added lattice to the sides of the railing to make the openings smaller. The weather has not been really cooperative, but I plan on working with her more when I get a warm day. She is letting me carry her up the stairs more. I think that she is realizing that it makes her feel better to not have the shock associated with using the stairs. I will be posting a video soon with the new modifications to the ramp.
I build a ramp for my 14-year-old German Shepherd, who’s back legs are giving out and having a hard time walking up the 3 steps. Off my deck. I built the ramp using leftover stockade fence secured it to my top step. My dog is stubborn. She still won’t go up and down it. I still have some work to do on it. I might have to raise it a little bit and then drop it at the bottom another rap Because she’s having a hard time walking up the ramp because her back leg she’s got a push up off with her back legs to get up the ramp so the less inclined the better. the ramp that you building looks too steep. It’ don’t get me wrong it’s nice you did a great job but it should be wider, so your dog feels more comfortable going down and up they have the space with the narrowing and the steepness it’s scaring your dog, and keeping her from going up and down to your dog and that’s scaring her or you need to make it less steep and gradually lower it to the point where it almost looks level to her but it’s not, and will be less pressure on her legs, and put a gripping rubber mat, that they could grip and make it easy for her to go up and down, hope that was helpful! LC,
Thanks for watching and the helpful tips Lauren. I agree that being so narrow was probably scaring her. I made it somewhat wider and she still wasn't willing to use it. After that, I really didn't have space to go wider, so I just carried her up and down for the rest of her days. In hindsight I think that if I had gotten her used to it when she was younger and healthier, she would have been sure footed and probably would have adopted the ramp as her preferred method to get up and down. It's almost three years since Coco has passed away. I still think about her every day. I hope for the best for you and your German Shepherd.
@@themostlymikeshow try with her leash and walk her up and down it a few times Till she gets the concept of it See if that helps her. I build stairs off my Deck on the back and on the side so I put the ramp on the back steps wide. She’s hesitant on going up it’s because her hind legs it’s hard for her to push off coming up so I have to raise it to make it a little more level, What’s a slight incline and then drop the incline just a little so she could get up to the level. So I still have some work to do on mine. Also it’s the things we do for a little feet babies that we love so much they are our family!
Hi 👋 Show her it’s ok and walk down it if you can. Or carry her down it show her it’s ok. It is a little small and intimidating make it bigger. Maybe 🤔 she’s afraid of nights
Thanks for watching Gabby. I appreciate the advice to pass on to the people who view this video who had the same issues with their animals. Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I still think about her every day. I posted a tribute video to Coco's life in the description for this video.
Thanks for watching and the words of advice. This video was from a few years ago, and sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. She lived to be just under 16 years old.
Thanks for watching Lynn. I actually did increase it the width of a 2 x 4 oh, and she still did not want to try it. Sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I made a tribute video to her life. I will get the link and include it below this comment. I miss her so much and think about her everyday.
i see its old now but i would get a friend with a more confident dog show use it in front of him multiple times, reward other the dog, try to convince then
Thanks for watching and the helpful tip. It will be a help for other viewers to try. Sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I think about her every day.
This is my fear. My girl is losing her sight. She can up the stairs but will not go down. I fear I will build this and because she is set in her ways and hates new things, she will not use this. I am sorry you lost your beloved Coco. It is so hard saying good bye to our beloved friends😢
Thanks again Sophie. I would definitely go much wider than what I did on mine, especially if it's a longer ramp. I think that it would probably have been less sketchy to Coco to not be closed in. Many others commented that. Some dogs can just be stubborn though.
Thanks for watching and the words of advice Jeff. Sadly Coco has passed away about a year-and-a-half ago. I made a tribute video to her life. I will List It in the description.
This is a great video, Coco is awesome. What’s the update? Is she using the ramp yet? If not my only suggestion is to make the ramp wider, maybe six inches would be enough.
That's what we were thinking because our Rottweiler won't use anything that doesn't have good width. Hell he got pissed about me getting a toy box to boot on my side of the bed for all his toys because the width between the footboard of my bed and my dresser only leaves a little extra room for his big body and he isn't having it...so he stands on the bed and stares at his toys and barks at me lol
Considering a ramp for our aging dog and happened on your video. I read in the comments that your sweet old gal has passed away, and I’m so devastated for you. I know time has passed since you lost Coco, and it still hurts, but you did your best for her. We are hardly worthy of their love and devotion, but we’re lucky to have it. Thank you for being a great pet owner.
Thanks so much. She's definitely missed by the family and friends. Sadly I was never successful in getting Coco to use that ramp. If your dog is not keen on trying new things that might seem a little sketchy like these ramps, I believe that it definitely pays to get him or her adjusted to using it while still pretty mobile. I hope that your dog has a nice long life like Coco had.
I'm so sorry for ache in your heart for Coco. You were so good to her and she knew it.
Thanks Sojourner. It's been 11 months since she passed away and I think about her every day.
Been struggling. Even had a girl walk away because I cared more about Megabytes needs than hers, but she’s not dying to be fair and only knew her for a week.
My husky is suffering from intense anxiety and it’s hurting his heart. He keeps sleeping next to my bed and I needed to make something to get him up here as a 125lb dog.
He’s old and I know only has little time left. But, I rescued him as a tiny pup and he SAVED MY LIFE when I had a serious health issue…
Thanks for this video. I’m going to motivate myself to figure out ANY ANY WAY to get him up here on this bed to be comfortable until his last breath.
Thanks for sharing your story LaceChaser. Sorry to hear about your struggles. I can relate to how you feel about your husky.
I felt that way about Coco. It's been over two years ago since she passed away and I think about her every day.
I hope that what they say is true that we reunite with our pets someday.
I wish you all the best and hope you find the solution to make his last days the best that they can be.
I had the same issue with my dog. Built a ramp but the trick is to start from the bottom and let your pup go up using treats. Afterwards he might feel more confortable going down… It also can’t hurt if the ramp was a little wider 👍
Thanks Lawrence! I actually made sort of a "part two" to this video, which I should have probably titled it as such or at least refer viewers to it from this video. If you look through my other videos, it is entitled "Building a Dog safety gate from recycled lumber". I had to build this gate because she was trying to just leap down the steps which could have severely injured her. In that video I also show some widening of the ramp as well as some tricks that viewers have added to the comments. Sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I also have a tribute video to her life. She is greatly missed and thought about everyday. Thank you for watching. I will copy and paste the links to those videos underneath if you would like to see them.
ruclips.net/video/Py1AgEEm5nU/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/pGf-6TUOqdc/видео.html
I’m very sorry to hear about Coco 😔. My dog Ella turned 16 yesterday. :)) I will definitely check out your other videos.
Maybe the secret is to build the ramp for the dog before the dog is old and crippled, then the dog can run up and down it for fun.
Valiant effort my friend, she'll get it. I would put the leash on her and gently coerce her to come down. Encouraging her the whole time. I would even try it without the treats that way she doesn't want to stop while she's on an angle to reach down to get a treat
Let Coco see other dogs using the ramp and enjoying the treats.
Thanks Rokhound! I'll give it a try!
Thanks Lisa! There will be a part 2 in the not too distant future using the new ideas. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for making this video. Sparkey is starting to walk like Coco and just this morning he fell off of my porch steps. I'm going to use this design for my old stubborn dog.
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience with Sparkey AJ. I wish you the best with your project and many more years with Sparkey.
Great project. In order to get Coco to use the ramp, you need a couple of steps before. You need her to get used to the "new" surface flat and without the railings. Just put the board with the new surface on the deck for a few days. Don't forget to give her treats and make it a game for her. The second step would be adding the railings only on one side for a few days. The third step is adding the second railing and letting her come and go on a flat surface. She'll get used to it. The last step would be placing the ramp and the railings in the final position. Hope this might be of help. Cheers,
Thanks for the advice Ignacio. I'm sorry to say that Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I really wish that she was around to try your method. Coco had a nice long life just a few days under 16 years which is great for her breed. I made a tribute video to her life. I'll post the link underneath if you like.
@@themostlymikeshow We had 5 steps and I built a 16 foot x 2 foot wide ramp and I put green out door grass carpet on it, it was magnificent, for my 13 year old golden retriever Duke and he simply refused to ever use it. He weighed about 85 pounds and I resorted to carrying him in and out the last months of his life.
Wow Greg, I often thought that going wider or longer would have gotten her to use it, but I guess that they just get set on their ways. Coco has passed away almost two and a half years ago and I still think about her every day. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
@@themostlymikeshow Thank you kindly for your response, I again find myself with an older dog that is really struggling with stairs - I told my wife that the best thing we could do was install a wheel chair ramp and then we can all use it!
I hope that if you go with a wheelchair ramp that it works out well for you all. Please keep me posted!
I love reading about loving pet owners whose pets live long fulfilling lives. There's no such thing as a spoiled pet. They give us so much and what we give in return is but a mere fraction. I'm so sorry your Cocoa has passed on. If there's a heaven I hope we're reunited with our furry loved ones. In the future, for the day another dog enters its senior years, it's been my experience that it's easier for a pet to go up a ramp than down a ramp at first. Going down is scary as there's a chance for tumbling down whereas going up, the pet has more control. Once going up is conquered then going down won't be as intimidating. May all pets be as loved and pampered.
Thanks for watching and the kind words Abbey. Coco is very missed. I still think about her every day.
Coco is a very lucky girl to have you. I wonder if making the entire ramp wider to allow you walk down with her would help. Maybe consider a smaller angle and flatter ramp too? She might be scared of the steepness
Yep these 2 must be related!! Mine is Mastiff/APBT and he has the same stubborn streak til he’s ready to do it!!
Wow 15 for a CBR I had one he made it to 13. Broke my heart. But this is exactly what I want to do for my aging German shepherd.
Thanks Alan. Yes, Coco was really special. I miss her. Toughest thing I ever went through. I hope that your project goes well and many more years with your German shepherd.
This is a great video, Coco is awesome. What’s the update? Is she using the ramp yet? If not my only suggestion is to make the ramp wider, maybe six inches would be enough.
Coco thanks you for the kind compliments! I actually held off on the update to that video. I made the ramp about 4 inches wider, then I added lattice to the Rails so it was a little more closed in. She refuses! I should be putting an update video out soon with those improvements, and a couple more things that I want to try. Thanks for watching!
@@themostlymikeshow I have the same problem with my 12-year old border collie. She never liked ramps, whne she was younger I tried doing agility since my other BC loved it, this one would jump off the ramp. She is 68pounds, with hip dysplesia and I can't carry her. I am a renter who shares stairs with neighbors so I can't even do such a sophisticated ramp cause it needs to come off after each use. We are also in a city where even first floor apts have a set of stairs, and buildings with elevators are usually fancy and expensive (she also finds elevators stressful, but that is not the main issue). Really frustrating. This is her only health issue, so it is sad.
Yes Belizat, it's sad when they act like puppies and have issues getting around. I posted an update video a few weeks ago, but sadly Coco still won't go on the ramp. She tried one time and it didn't go well. She gets halfway down and then leaps for some reason, and that's when it goes bad. In that video, I build a gate so she can't dart for the steps, which would likely end up in injury or worse, so I just carry her up and down. It's all that I can do for the moment. Thanks for watching!
@@themostlymikeshow I have a problem I have a 12 year chocolate lab he neurological problems where he can’t move his back legs so I have to carry him up and down the steps and he’s 100lbs so u know that’s heavy when it’s deadweight but I’m trying to think of something if you guys have any ideas please help me I got him the doggie wheel chair which he loves but it don’t help with stairs.
Hi Rick. I wish that I had some ideas to help. Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I think about her every day. She only tried the ramp once and it didn't go well for her. If there was some way to cart him on a less steep ramp is all that I could think of at the moment. I hope that you can find a way. Thanks for watching.
Great video- I am about to construct a ramp due to an elevated foundation and a ramp is needed for the dog door. I was googling and came across this 🙏🙏
Thanks for watching and the kind compliment Helen. I wish you the best in the construction of your ramp, and your dog gets lots of use with it.
This is exactly what I’m looking for with the exception that I need it for my bed. Any thoughts on how to make the ramp not to steep and one that doesn’t run long in my bedroom?
Thanks for watching Valerie! I tried different things for Coco to still be able to get into the bed, but she was not open to new ideas. I actually made a small set of two steps that had a piece of plywood sticking past the top step to go between the mattress and box spring to hold it securely. She wouldn't even look at it. Lol. She was stubborn like that. I even tried putting a short padded storage ottoman in front of the bed so she could use it as a short step, and she wouldn't try it either. I don't know if these ideas could help your situation, but maybe something to try.
I'm working on this plan for our Rottweiler and our yorkies for our king Size bed
I would suggestion to make a wider ramp for my dog but not too narrow ramp. Thank you to share it
Thanks! I made a few updates to it since then, including widening the ramp and making the gaps on the sides smaller I hope to make an update soon. Coco's health declined a little more since then, so I am not sure if she would be able to go up and down even if she was willing. It's sad to see her this way. I have been carrying her up and down the steps for a few months now.
@@themostlymikeshow I am so sorry to hear your dog has health issues. Your dog is very lucky to have you for big heart .
@@AG-nc7wj Thank you. She's my baby. For being almost 110 years old in dog years, she still acts like a puppy in many ways. I try to prepare for the inevitable, but I want her life to be the best as it can be while she is still with us.
Considering making mine a ramp because she too is declining. I will have to make it sturdy enough for her sister who is 80lbs even tho the one that needs it is only 55lbs. I'm going to make it wider...and put her favourite stuffy on it...maybe roll her ball down it...those are her 2 favourite things...she likes them more then treats...maybe I'll try cheese cubes...that's her fav treat in the whole world. I'm sorry to hear cocoa isnt doing well...we were at the vet today for 4 hrs with our girl bella... its rough seeing them decline and when they cant tell you how they are hurting or where the pain is...its hard...u just know they are hurting horribly. I wish you and cocoa all the best...we put a heated blanket on low for bella...she seems to like it on her bad days. Take care and thank you for the video.
Thanks Ryan. I wish that would have made Coco a ramp earlier in her life. By the time that I made her this ramp, she had already declined to a point that she didn't have much confidence in using it. I tried many different suggestions from viewers, and only one time she tried using it, but was shaky, so inspiring no confidence. Sadly, she passed away on October 26th of 2020. I miss her so much and think about her every day. Please check out the video tribute that I made to her life as well as the renovation video of the house that I am making my channel studio which I named "Coco Villa" in her honor.
Use a leash while holding the treat a few inches from her nose and guide her down. That’s how I got mine to use the elevated dog-walk and seesaw on the agility course. The platforms are not any wider than yours. Good luck with it. Wonderful video. Thanks.
Thanks for watching Lew. I appreciate the advice. Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. She is very missed. If you look through my other videos, I made a tribute to her life. I had her for almost 16 years, and shared many adventures. She had a longer life than the majority of her breed, and left this world on her own terms.
for your answer that you asked in the video, just remove the side rails and she will happily use the ramp. because Dogs have an inherrent fear of confined spaces and the side rails is giving her exactly that!
That's interesting! Thanks! Her legs are getting worse to the point that I would be afraid of her falling if she used the ramp at this point. I am editing the second part of this video as I write this, and should be making it public in the next few days. Thanks for the information!
@@themostlymikeshow you will need to instill confidence by holding her when she goes up and down the ramp till she begins to do it herself
This is a great video, however I've got cement steps out the back and I don't know how I could stop the ramp from slipping.
Thanks for watching Cheese Toasty. Are you looking to install the ramp directly over the cement steps?
@@themostlymikeshow Yes I am. It's 8 steps.
You might be able to make a support that conforms to the top step, and perhaps fasten it with a tapcon, or anchor of sorts for added security, and then rest the end of the ramp on the ground. It might take some trial and error to get the angles correct. This is just picturing in my head from what you described.
@@themostlymikeshow I had to look up what a tapcon is (I'm in the UK) yes someone else suggested concrete screws too. Thanks so much! Also so sorry for your loss of Coco, just noticed in your other video ❤️
Thanks bud! I miss her a lot. I still think about her every day.
Such a sweet girl- good job cocoa! I have to build one of these I bought one but my boy doesn’t like it. Too narrow. Going to try yours thanks for posting. You’ve been fortunate having her for 15 years hope you get a few more years out of her!!💝❤️
Thanks for watching Janice! Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th. Her health had declined to the point that I had to make that dreaded decision to make the appointment that no one wants to make, but Coco went on her own terms before the appointment.. Almost like she knew. I miss her so much and think about her every day. She was just about 16.
@@themostlymikeshow sorry for your loss.
I built a step for my 11 year old, stubborn as a mule, Kelpie yesterday...she stepped on it and smashed face first into the car....I felt terrible for her. So, today I did a ramp, I lined it with a rubber mat and then put 4 small strips of timber going across as steps...just so she has something to grip on. She had lost her confidence so it was a no go. I think I will put a stand under the ramp so it is more stable. Fun and games and hard on us seeing them not at their best!:-) I might need to try the carpet treads.
Hi Mel! One thing that I tried for Coco that really worked was using a couch cushion as a step. For some reason she didn't associate the cushion as a "contraption", and would climb willingly on to it to help get in the car. Sadly Coco has passed away in October. She had a nice long life full of adventures. She is very missed.
@@themostlymikeshow oh gosh, sorry to hear. Nothing worse than losing your dog. I do worry about my dog as she struggles. Thanks for that tip though...I will give it a go as a cushions a lot easier to drag in and out of the car than ramps or steps. I hope things get easier soon after losing Coco. (Heart emoji):-)
@@melsparklesThanks. It definitely takes some time. There's a big empty spot that she used to fill. I am not sure if you saw the tribute video to Coco, but It's on the channel page showing some highlights of the adventures that we had together.
@@themostlymikeshow after I read your message I spotted it but just can't watch it sorry! I even tear up thinking about it...any dog loss is so painful! I still tear up over a dog that I lost 11 years ago!
Some good news...my dog Lulu after some coaxing used the car ramp twice! I am super relieved! She even seemed a little bit happy:-) I hope you find some happy moments between grieving for your girl. (Heart emoji):-)
@@melsparkles I try to constantly think about the great times that we were both part of. Coco knew me better than anyone else in the world. She could even read my mind. I hope that it is true that someday we will meet again.
I would've started crawling down the steps myself, my dog loves to copy me lol
Thanks for watching and the helpful tip. Yes, I have tried that with her. I wish that she was still with us to try some more, but unfortunately she passed away October 26th of 2020. I miss her and think about her almost everyday. I think my best advice to anybody that has a dog prone to these problems would be to get them used to walking up a ramp at a young healthy age. I actually got her to try it one time and it did not end very well. She panicked and took a pretty good tumble.
I know this video is older now, and I know Coco has unfortunately passed away now. I just wanted to say that I think the main thing that would've made her slightly weary was probably the narrow passage. I know you only had so much room to work with, I just figure that part probably made it a lil difficult for her to fully trust, especially if she happened to be shy of new things like my dogs can be sometimes.
Anyways, thanks for sharing this video. I really cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to see the effort you put in for her here. May Coco enjoy her time on the rainbow bridge till such a time as she can reunite with you. 🙂
Thanks for watching and the kind words. Yes, I tried to widen it some, but it wasn't enough. I would recommend to anyone having a dog that is getting up in age to acclimate the dog for using a ramp before they get to the age that Coco was.
Oh no!!! This is my first video 😮
@@sandrabond1118 Thanks for watching Sandra.
Sorry to read that miss Coco has passed, but I'm sure she had an amazing life with you! I am looking for similar solution for my elderly pup... she is SO STUBBORN. I think the only way I could keep her from jumping would be a tunnel system type thing.. but she has to be on a leash in the city... not sure if I can make it work...
Thanks for the kind words Amy. Coco is very missed and I think about her every day. That definitely sounds like it would be a challenge making a tunnel type of ramp. Jumping is exactly what Coco tried to do on one of the attempts to get her to use it. I wish that I could have heard her side of it and why she was so stubborn about using it. 🤔 I wish you the best of luck with finding a way to get your dog to use whatever you decide on. Thanks for watching.
You should make it wider, My dog was the same way because the ramp was too narrow. Once I added more width he went right down with no problem. Not stubbornness, she doesn't feel safe. Once she feels safe she will go down.
Thanks Patti. Sadly, Coco has passed away in October. She had a nice long life, just two weeks from her 16th birthday. It's still not long enough. I miss her and think about her every day. I made a video showing highlights and memories of her life.
I have two St. Bernards who are now growing old for whom I want to build a ramp to get them in and out of my car especially for vet visits. The question I have which no youtube video has answered is what inclination angle do I need to use to make it easy for my dogs to climb onto. Any answers from you or the readers here would be very helpful.
more than anything else with large dogs gravity takes over especially when they come down the ramp. That is simply why I am asking
I made my ramp with little knowledge of the requirements as far as steepness, so I made it as long as I could to make the angle as easy as possible for her. I just went out and measured it with a level and a protractor. It is about 20 degrees Slope. I hope that this helps.
@@themostlymikeshow Thanks a ton :)
I know I am super late to this Post however I do not believe removing side rails would be safe. I do believe if you went first down the ramp she would be more apt to follow you. Although that is pretty impossible, unless you're only 12 foot wide which no adult is. I'm trying to figure out the same scenario for my mom. Options are her outdoor deck steps or her indoor steps to foyer. (Lives in a split level home.) any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
I did not read the previous comments, but I do hope you are well. If Coco has passed my heart breaks with you and for you!! I LOVE animals sometimes more than people. I do know that she will always know how amazing her human was, how kind and loving, thoughtful and caring and above anything else, the relationship Coco shared with you is and always will be priceless! Animals are a gift to us, and how we treat them and love on them speaks volumes. Coco is/was one lucky lady, and I think she knew that too. 😉
Thanks so much for the very kind comment Leslie. Coco is a very special dog. It has been over a year a a half since she passed and I still think about her every day. I was very blessed to have the time that I had with her. I told her all the time how much her daddy loved her. I'll think about your mom's situation and see if I can get any ideas. I just finished a double shift, but wanted to at least thank you for the kind words. Have a great day!
@@themostlymikeshow my animals / my moms Animals are all my only children!! I also work in the medical field and have had a part time job at a humane Society. The loss of a beloved Family member is truly heart wrenching and breaking! When my one and only dog I’ve had passes…. Idk what I'll do her name is foxy lady, I did adopt a cat I named Hendrix, for Jimi Hendrix. But I had th put him down.. so I understand your pain.. ❤️
Put her on the ramp.. she will see it's safe and will use it over time
Thanks holyfaith. Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. She went on her own terms and very peaceful. She is very missed.
@@themostlymikeshow sorry to hear.. my dog is 9 month 60 pounds German shepherd mix.. we got her from a rescue which never told us of all her walking problems.. we got her home and notice she walked funny.. now she is 9 months old and don't walk up and down stairs at all.. so we are searching the net on stairs ideas to build.. she is getting to heavy yo carry..your video gave me a great idea and things to do for our pup.. thank you for the video.. and I know coco is missed dearly.. she don't know it but her video helped alot of people with their dogs..
@@holyfaith7 That is one of the toughest things that I ever went through. I had her since she was just 3 months old and my best friend ever since. She was two weeks away from turning 16, so definitely had a long life for her breed, but still way to short. There's a video tribute to her life on this channel. I'll find the link and post it here shortly.
This is the tribute video for Coco :
ruclips.net/video/pGf-6TUOqdc/видео.html
@@themostlymikeshow oh wow... its always hard to lose a best friend... im hoping to give my baby girl the best care possible until that time.. we will make her as comfortable as she can be..
Try having her go up first. Great build, amazing what we will do for our babies.
It's been cold out, so I haven't been working with her as much. She has been fairly cooperative with me lately for carrying her up and down the steps. She is really set on her ways. What kind of dog(s) do you have?
I’m trying to teach my chihuahuas the same thing. They don’t seem to like a ramp. They like steps better.
It's tough. I wish that I would have gotten Coco used to ramps at an earlier age. She was really set on her ways. Thanks for watching.
Have her go up the ramp.
Thanks for watching Catherine!
best way to get her go up first, not down
Thanks Emily. That was one of my older videos, and sadly since then, Coco has passed away on October 26th. We tried every way to get her to use it, but what I should have done is taught her when she was in better health. I did a tribute video to her life showing various highlights. She is very missed.
I have a very old dog too, she is blind and was very stubborn especially considering the fact that she is blind she wanted to keep going up and down the steps which is a very bad idea. But give it time that is the best advice i can give. Build up from spare wood scrap a fence blocking the main steps and block coco from going down the familiar route. So it would force her to use the new solution to the problem. Going off my experience teaching an old dog something new just requires patience and the knowledge that in the end your contraption will help her out and she will use it
Hi Leo! Thanks for watching, and thanks for the advice! So far, I have widened it, and added lattice to the sides of the railing to make the openings smaller. The weather has not been really cooperative, but I plan on working with her more when I get a warm day. She is letting me carry her up the stairs more. I think that she is realizing that it makes her feel better to not have the shock associated with using the stairs. I will be posting a video soon with the new modifications to the ramp.
What breed of dog do you have?
I’d have made the ramp the whole width of the stairs and used the ramp myself.
Thanks for watching and commenting akbychoice. That may have been the only way to get her to use it.
@@themostlymikeshow sorry for your loss, happy for the many good years.
That's the same name as my puppy. She's getting kinda old to🥺
They're definitely not on this earth long enough. It's been over a year since she passed away and I think about her every day. She was an awesome dog.
I build a ramp for my 14-year-old German Shepherd, who’s back legs are giving out and having a hard time walking up the 3 steps. Off my deck. I built the ramp using leftover stockade fence secured it to my top step. My dog is stubborn. She still won’t go up and down it. I still have some work to do on it. I might have to raise it a little bit and then drop it at the bottom another rap Because she’s having a hard time walking up the ramp because her back leg she’s got a push up off with her back legs to get up the ramp so the less inclined the better. the ramp that you building looks too steep. It’ don’t get me wrong it’s nice you did a great job but it should be wider, so your dog feels more comfortable going down and up they have the space with the narrowing and the steepness it’s scaring your dog, and keeping her from going up and down to your dog and that’s scaring her or you need to make it less steep and gradually lower it to the point where it almost looks level to her but it’s not, and will be less pressure on her legs, and put a gripping rubber mat, that they could grip and make it easy for her to go up and down, hope that was helpful! LC,
Thanks for watching and the helpful tips Lauren. I agree that being so narrow was probably scaring her. I made it somewhat wider and she still wasn't willing to use it. After that, I really didn't have space to go wider, so I just carried her up and down for the rest of her days. In hindsight I think that if I had gotten her used to it when she was younger and healthier, she would have been sure footed and probably would have adopted the ramp as her preferred method to get up and down. It's almost three years since Coco has passed away. I still think about her every day. I hope for the best for you and your German Shepherd.
@@themostlymikeshow try with her leash and walk her up and down it a few times Till she gets the concept of it See if that helps her. I build stairs off my Deck on the back and on the side so I put the ramp on the back steps wide. She’s hesitant on going up it’s because her hind legs it’s hard for her to push off coming up so I have to raise it to make it a little more level,
What’s a slight incline
and then drop the incline just a little so she could get up to the level. So I still have some work to do on mine. Also it’s the things we do for a little feet babies that we love so much they are our family!
We had Chesapeake and yes that is their mind set, NO not today.🤣
Absolutely! That's exactly how Coco rolls, lol. Thanks for watching Marty!
When do we get to see Joe in a rock garden?
Lol Good question!
Hi 👋 Show her it’s ok and walk down it if you can. Or carry her down it show her it’s ok. It is a little small and intimidating make it bigger. Maybe 🤔 she’s afraid of nights
Thanks for watching Gabby. I appreciate the advice to pass on to the people who view this video who had the same issues with their animals. Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I still think about her every day. I posted a tribute video to Coco's life in the description for this video.
U should be coco n go down n up the ramp so she follow u.
Thanks for watching and the words of advice. This video was from a few years ago, and sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. She lived to be just under 16 years old.
I think the ramp is a little too narrow for Coco..
Thanks for watching Lynn. I actually did increase it the width of a 2 x 4 oh, and she still did not want to try it. Sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I made a tribute video to her life. I will get the link and include it below this comment. I miss her so much and think about her everyday.
ruclips.net/video/pGf-6TUOqdc/видео.html
Remove the plants on the rail. It’s fear of getting hurt for Cocoa not stubbornness
Lol those dog breeds always look perpetually worried
That was definitely Coco. I miss her so much. She always made me laugh.
Put a leash on her and walk her down the ramp with treats. Look up Dogwisperer
i see its old now but i would get a friend with a more confident dog show use it in front of him multiple times, reward other the dog, try to convince then
Thanks for watching and the helpful tip. It will be a help for other viewers to try. Sadly, Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. I think about her every day.
Take her down it on a leash to show her, it's okay it's safe!
Thanks Lynn. Sadly Coco has passed away on October 26th of 2020. She is very missed and thought about every day.
This is my fear. My girl is losing her sight. She can up the stairs but will not go down. I fear I will build this and because she is set in her ways and hates new things, she will not use this. I am sorry you lost your beloved Coco. It is so hard saying good bye to our beloved friends😢
Thanks again Sophie. I would definitely go much wider than what I did on mine, especially if it's a longer ramp. I think that it would probably have been less sketchy to Coco to not be closed in. Many others commented that. Some dogs can just be stubborn though.
Walk down it yourself so she knows it’s safe
Thanks for watching and the words of advice Jeff. Sadly Coco has passed away about a year-and-a-half ago. I made a tribute video to her life. I will List It in the description.
This is a great video, Coco is awesome. What’s the update? Is she using the ramp yet? If not my only suggestion is to make the ramp wider, maybe six inches would be enough.
That's what we were thinking because our Rottweiler won't use anything that doesn't have good width. Hell he got pissed about me getting a toy box to boot on my side of the bed for all his toys because the width between the footboard of my bed and my dresser only leaves a little extra room for his big body and he isn't having it...so he stands on the bed and stares at his toys and barks at me lol